Police Hunt Active Shooter Who Opened Fire at a New Zealand Mosque

Authorities are searching for an armed man and any accomplices who ran off after randomly shooting people near a New Zealand mosque on March 15.

New Zealand Police confirmed it is hunting “an active shooter” who opened fire close to a downtown Christchurch city mosque, causing several casualties.

“A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter,” New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush told Reuters. “Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation but the risk environment remains extremely high.”

Police are currently responding to reports of shots fired in central Christchurch at around 1:40pm. Armed police have been deployed. Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay indoors and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.

One witness said a man dressed in camouflage military-style clothes suddenly began shooting people in the Masjid Al Noor mosque in the city’s Hagley Park district with what appeared to be an automatic rifle.

There are also unconfirmed reports of armed police at a second mosque in the Linwood neighbourhood.

The Bangladesh cricket team had planned to attend the mosque for prayers when the shooting occurred but changed their plans and all members are safe, according to the team coach.

“All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city,” the team said in a Twitter post. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board is in constant contact with the players and team management.”

The team is in Christchurch to compete against New Zealand in a third cricket test starting on March 16.

“They were on the bus, which was just pulling up to the mosque when the shooting begun,” Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, told Reuters in a written statement.

All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant contact with the players and team management.#christchurchMosqueAttack

Police confirmed all of the city’s schools and council buildings had been placed into lock down, and urged everyone in the downtown area to stay indoors.

In response to a serious ongoing firearms incident in Christchurch all Christchurch schools have been placed into lockdown. Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay off the streets and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.

Police confirmed one person is in custody and there may be other offenders. They also said there have been a number of fatalities as a result of the shooting.

1/5 Police is responding to a very serious and tragic incident involving an active shooter in central Christchurch. One person is in custody, however Police believe there may be other offenders…. This is an evolving incident and we are working to confirm the facts…

2/5 however we can confirm there have been a number of fatalities. Police is currently at a number of scenes. We understand that there will be many anxious people but I can assure New Zealanders that Police is doing all it can to resolve this incident.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern described the attack as one of nation’s “darkest days.”

“It is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence,” the PM said in a written statement to Radio New Zealand. “Migrants and refugees have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. For the person who perpetuated this violence it is not.”

“This is one of New Zealand’s darkest day. It is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.

“Migrants and refugees have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. For the person who perpetuated this violence it is not.” – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

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